Imperial Guard - Chapter 25



Only Noblemtl

Episode 25

Knights of the Silver Cross

Rael emerged from the alley in District 4.

As he came out onto the main road, there were quite a few people who greeted him, but Rael accepted their greetings appropriately and increased his walking speed.

‘I have to go to the daycare center first and then go to the classroom.’

I was thinking of going at night since I won’t be able to go to the daycare for a while, but I thought it would be better to stop by before anything annoying happens.

Besides, there’s a high probability that Cecilia will be in the orphanage.

With her help, it will be easier to get to church.

‘Oh, let’s go see Uncle Eric first.’

I won’t be going to see Uncle Eric for a while, so I have to say hello.

I think it would be a good idea to ask about Zeno as well.

Swish-

Rael put his hands in his pockets and held something hard.

It is a horn of a lower class demon that was personally selected.

‘No matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand it. Why are these Imperial bastards so incompetent?’

I couldn’t think properly earlier because I was fighting the demons, but the more I thought about it, the stranger it seemed.

According to what Zeno’s subordinates had heard, it had been several days since the demons had invaded the capital.

He even said that he was leaving for Zone 2, but Rael found that statement particularly strange.

From District 2 onwards, this is where the nobles live.

Unlike the 3rd and 4th districts where the commoners live, it is much more heavily fortified.

The fact that the Demons have invaded there means that the Empire’s security has already been compromised.

‘··· It would have been better if they had been like that from the beginning. The Kamen Empire would be strong for the next thousand years.’

Suddenly, Tia’s words came to mind.

If they can’t even stop this, then it’s right for them to just perish.

Judging from the way they act, it doesn’t look like a thousand-year empire, but rather an empire that will soon collapse.

‘There are three possibilities···.’

Number 1. The Empire is the real deal.

2. I haven’t been feeling well lately, so I did something stupid.

The last three times. I deliberately left the Demons’ invasion unattended.

‘I hope it’s not the third time.’

If we allow the Demons to invade, it means there is a traitor within us.

It’s better to have a real person than to have a traitor inside.

If an empire as big as a human being lasted for a thousand years, it means that its opponent was even bigger.

‘Or are these kids actually not warriors?’

If you think about it, the main character of this novel is still in the academy.

Until he graduates, getting hit by demons might be his daily routine.

······ Then who will prevent the damage?

“Ha, fuck, I don’t know. I don’t know.”

It seemed like something was going to be caught, but since there was no information, it wasn’t caught.

‘First, let’s say hello to Uncle Eric.’

Rael opened the door to the bar he had arrived at.

The bar wasn’t doing business today either.

It’s amazing how they maintain it.

“Sir, I’m here.”

“What kind of accident did you cause today?”

“I didn’t have an accident.”

Lael sat down at the bar and exchanged friendly greetings with Uncle Eric.

“You wouldn’t have come here to drink in broad daylight… What’s going on? Is it about Reina?”

Eric said, wiping his glass clean with a cloth.

“No. I just stopped by to see your face. Oh, right. Do you know who Zenon is?”

“Xenon? You must know Zenon. Rael.”

“Huh? Who is that?”

If he could say something like that, he must be quite an amazing person, but no matter how much I thought about it, nothing came to mind.

“You’re the boss of the underworld in District 4 who escaped after being beaten up like a rat.”

“··· There must be one or two guys like that.”

Rael met more than 10 people who claimed to be in charge of Sector 4.

I don’t even remember their names. I guess Zenon is one of them.

“I heard that after taking over District 3, they went on a rampage looking for the Gaksi Mask. I don’t know what they’re doing these days.”

“··· You were looking for a masked woman.”

I wondered why the lucky letter was chasing me, and it turned out that it was chasing Gaksital, not Rael.

If the Demons haven’t noticed and aren’t chasing Rael, then I think we can rest easy.

“Have you come to ask about Zenon?”

“That too… I came here to tell you to close the bar and go into hiding for the time being because the atmosphere is not good these days. There are demons roaming the imperial capital.”

“There are demons roaming the capital…? Rael. Did you eat something bad again?”

“···.”

Why on earth do you ever doubt your own words?

I think it’s probably because people were so often deceived in the Middle Ages.

Without being flustered, Rael took out the horn he had brought to show the sect.

Although most of the magic had already left, the ominous aura still lingered.

“No way! Did you really meet the demon? Where?!”

Eric’s eyes widened when he saw the demon’s horn.

“Where is it? District 4. That’s why I came to warn you. There are demons roaming the Imperial Capital. This is the end of the world.”

“The demons in District 4···?”

Eric’s eyes twitched.

It didn’t matter whether it was Zone 4 or Zone 3.

The capital of the empire must not be invaded by demons.

“Oh, and I don’t think I’ll be able to come here for a while. There’s someone following me.”

“···There’s someone following you?”

“Yes. One crazy guy got involved. That’s why I’m not going to the orphanage for the time being. I’m thinking of hiring some security guards around the orphanage instead, so please help me, Uncle Eric.”

Rael placed an Imperial gold coin on the bar table.

It was a reward for reviving the Zaid Mercenary Corps.

Up until now, I felt safe because Rael stopped by the orphanage every day and used the beggars to monitor my absence, but now it seems I’ll have to hire someone else.

“··· Okay. I’ll put one on you as a good guy.”

Eric accepted the gold coin with a trembling expression.

Somehow… I thought I knew who the crazy guy chasing after Rael was.

“Thank you, Uncle Eric. I’ll come over for a drink next time.”

Rael nodded and left the bar.

And Eric, who was left at the bar, put down the glass he was wiping and frowned.

‘The demons appear in the capital… Surely not. Even Gideon wouldn’t do something like this.’

Imperial Knight Commander.

Gideon Garcia.

A madman who truly believes that a great crisis is necessary to unite the empire.

Eric’s expression distorted as he recalled an unpleasant memory.

*

Rael, who came to the orphanage, squatted down and made eye contact with the girl.

“Ber. This is going to be difficult for me. I told you I won’t be able to come for a while. Do you have anything to say?”

“I’m sorry, oppa. If you don’t use this, I’ll die…”

“···.”

Rael sighed as he looked at the letter in his hands.

After finally destroying the place where the lucky letters were made, they had already spread to the common people.

Was it wrong to create a textbook for teaching letters to children in orphanages under the pretext of providing gifted education?

Rael couldn’t help but feel frustrated at the sight of children writing letters in squiggly handwriting.

“Brother. Mine too!”

“Brother. I hate ghosts···.”

“No, you guys… Haa. Hurry up and give it back. Just give it all to me and stop using it now.”

Rael had no choice but to start receiving letters.

I had intended to share my feelings with the children during our final greetings, but they were all only interested in the letters.

Rael gritted his teeth as he received each letter from the children.

‘These fucking bastards… They’re really going to turn things upside down.’

It doesn’t matter if you can’t say goodbye for the last time.

But if Magi knew that it would have a bad influence on children, she would do something like this…!

I feel like I can relate to my mother in a past life who worried about electromagnetic waves every time she used the microwave.

“Lael, you are very popular.”

As the children left me with all their letters, Cecilia came over with a smile.

As expected of the next saint, she was out doing volunteer work today as well.

Rael approached Cecilia straight away.

“Father Cecilia. Did you write a letter too?”

“No. I···.”

Cecilia, who was looking around, carefully whispered to Rael.

“Should I say it smells disgusting…? I felt a bit awkward, so I threw it in the trash can as soon as I received it. I plan to ask the bishop when I go to church today.”

“also···!”

“Huh? As expected···?”

As expected, she is the next saint!

Even in this empire of a mere mortal, the next saint was still great.

Rael took out the demon horn from his pocket, promising to become closer to Cecilia in the future.

“Lael. What is that thing…?”

Cecilia was shocked when she saw the demon’s horn.

A disgusting smell came out, incomparable to that of the letter.

“It’s the horn of the Demon. That letter is something related to the Demon.”

“That, that can’t be possible···.”

“I need your help, Father Cecilia. Please go to the church with me.”

“I don’t know if something like me will be of any help, but… yes. Let’s go!”

Rael headed to the church with Cecilia.

The imperial capital is so large that each district has several branches.

In particular, there are the most in districts 3 and 4, as they are where commoners live and can accommodate a large number of people.

Rael thought as he ran to the nearest branch.

‘Who was in charge of this branch… That’s right, it was the octopus head.’

Bishop Felice.

He was a famous bishop in District 4.

The positions in the church are broadly divided into five categories.

Pope, cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and subordinate priests.

Bishops are mostly high priests, and their role is usually to use sacred magic in the field.

However, some of them go down to the commoner branch to live a comfortable life among the commoners.

Felice was the representative example.

He was a bishop who loved money more than merchants.

“Lady Cecilia, I have arrived.”

“yes yes···!”

Rael looked at the brick building after taking care of Cecilia, who was out of breath.

The arched roof and windows clearly indicated to anyone that this was a branch of the church.

Except for the main branch, all branches of the church have the same design.

Because according to the teachings of the god Gaia, both commoners and nobles had to be treated equally.

‘This is fucking sick.’

The teachings must be kept, and perhaps because they don’t want nobles and commoners to use the same hall, the branch in District 2 is made larger with the same design.

There are no figures like this one.

With that thought in mind, Rael approached the priest standing in front of the branch.

“Welcome, brother.”

“I have come to see the bishop.”

“How much would you like to donate?”

“···?”

These crazy guys come to see the bishop, and the first thing they say is donation.

Shouldn’t you at least ask what the circumstances are?

Even if you are not Rael, any normal person cannot help but hate the religious order.

“The demon has appeared. Brother, please let me see the bishop.”

Luckily, Cecilia intervened.

She was still a subordinate priestess, but it was better than nothing.

“A demon? … Is that true?”

“Yes. It’s important. Please tell the bishop.”

Is it because we are the same priest?

The priest nodded to Cecilia’s words.

“Okay, I understand. Please wait a moment while I relay this to the bishop.”

The priest went inside and knocked on the bishop’s door.

Rael perked up his ears as soon as he heard that sound.

[Bishop Felice.]

[The Knights of the Silver Cross have finally arrived?! I’m leaving now!]

[No. A layman and a priest came.]

[What? Then tell them to come back later while I’m praying. Oh, and accept donations.]

[He said it was very important. The demons had appeared···.]

[Speaking like a demon! Don’t you know what day it is today?! The Knights of the Silver Cross have come here in person! And they said they’d assign one Knight of the Silver Cross to District 4! On a day like this, commoners… no, laymen are complicating the branch! Get them out immediately!]

Rael, who had been eavesdropping on the voice inside, blinked in surprise.

‘What kind of crazy bald person is that?’

I didn’t think he was normal, but he was completely crazy.

After a while, the priest came out and bowed his head.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty is speaking with Gaia.”

“The demons have appeared! And besides, prayers should be offered in the prayer room!”

“I also feel good because I suddenly entered into prayer…”

Rael closed his eyes, listening to the conversation between the priest and Cecilia.

He was going through the trouble of his life.

‘It was my fault for expecting anything from these guys. … Tsk, should I just turn it upside down?’

I thought of the children at the orphanage who had just been writing letters and muttering to me.

I thought that if I opened that door with a sword and went in and held my sword to Felice’s neck, maybe she would listen to me.

‘······ No. Let’s not have such uncivilized thoughts.’

In any case, if you want to receive proper help from the religious order, you need to get support from the higher-ups in the religious order.

If it was Felice, the moment support came, she would have stuck to the knights and asked if a commoner had threatened her.

“ha···.”

Rael sighed.

I didn’t want to gamble, but I guess I’ll have to chase it alone, hoping there aren’t any stronger demons.

‘Oh, should I ask Reyna or Gent for help?’

I think Reyna will help since Rael did something for her, and I think Ghent will help since he said something about being a colleague.

Or, since Yuri said she reported it to her superiors, there’s a way to wait a day or two…

‘I don’t know how things will turn out.’

If it’s an incident that occurred in the original work, you can wait leisurely.

But Rael doesn’t know how far the chain letters have spread.

Even the situation is such that they cannot wait around in peace since the one they are chasing is the very same Demon King.

Jerk- Jerk-

As Rael was lost in thought, he heard heavy footsteps behind him.

I turned my head slightly and saw a shiny plate armor.

They were knights, judging by the symbol of their sect on their chests.

‘Is that the Knights of the Silver Cross that you said were coming earlier? They’re as splendid as a novel.’

The Knights of the Silver Cross are a knightly order run by a religious order.

Since it appeared every time the church exerted its power, it appeared frequently in the original work.

‘Is that Marco in the lead?’

Marco, Grand Master of the Knights of the Silver Cross.

He is called the natural enemy of the Demon Tribe and appears frequently in the original work.

Jerk- Jerk-

Marco glanced at Rael, then opened the wooden door and entered the branch.

The other knights followed him in, and the door to the branch was closed tightly again.

‘··· for a moment.’

Rael, who had met Marco’s eyes, recalled his setting.

Marco, who lost his family to the Demons, became a knight to kill the Demons.

By killing the demons, he achieved both faith and revenge.

As a true knight, he appeared whenever the demons appeared and crushed their heads.

‘Found it.’

An idea occurred to me to fuck Felice.

If it’s the Marco that Rael knows, it’ll definitely work.

“Father Cecilia, I have an idea of ​​how you can help me.”

“Yes? Is that true?”

Cecilia asked with a smile.

As a priest, she too was ashamed of the conduct of the church.

“Yes. But please bear with it for a moment, even if it’s embarrassing.”

“···?”

Cecilia tilted her head as she looked at Rael.

And then Rael took a deep breath and screamed.

“It’s the Demon! The Demon has appeared!!”

“La, Lael?!”

People passing by looked this way, but Rael didn’t care.

Instead, he raised his voice even more.

“Demon! It’s the Demon! The Demon has appeared!!!!”

“Follower?! You can’t do that here! This is a sacred church!”

The priest standing in front of the branch also stopped Rael, not knowing what to do.

It was so confusing why this crazy guy was acting like this all of a sudden.

Jerk- Jerk-

At that moment, the branch door, which had been firmly closed, opened again with heavy footsteps.

“··· Did you just say that the demons appeared?”

Marco, the Commander of the Silver Cross, stared at Rael.